Child&#39;s toilet seat



1946- c. NEUFELD cHILbs TOILET SEAT Filed July 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Leo/2am Weak/a vNo v. 12, 1946. c, NEUFELD 2,411,137

CHILDS TOILET SEAT Filed July 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 12,1946 2,4!

UNETED ST CHILDS TOILET SEAT Leonard C. Neufeld, Des Moines, Iowa,assignor to Fol-Dee Seat Company, Des Moines, Iowa, at

corporation of Iowa Application July 2, 1945, Serial No. 02,779

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to foldable toilet seats for childrenand in particular to a portable toilet seat of this type which isadapted to be positioned on a toilet seat of standard design.

Foldable toilet seats of portable type are wellknown and are generallysatisfactory. However, these seats are usually of a construction suchthat in a folded position considerable space is required for theirstorage. This is particularly objectionable, when traveling with achild, since the folded seat constitutes an additional package,ordinarily toolarge to beaccommodated within a usual traveling bag orgrip. A further objection is found in the fact that appreciable time isgenerally required to set up and fold many of thepresently used toiletseats for children.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improvedfoldable toilet seat for a child.

A further object of this invention is to provide a childs toilet seatwhich in a folded position occupies only a space required to accommodatea two piecefoldedseat member therefor. 1

Another object of this invention is to provide a childs seat inwhich-the arm rests are foldalong the line 4---4-in Fig. 3; l

able within the dimensional confines of the'seat member.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a childs seat whichis of a simple design, easily and quickly manipulated to folded andextended positions, and foldableinto a small compact packageadaptedto becarried within a usual sized traveling bag.- 1 v A particular feature ofthisinvention is found in the provision of a childs seat having a seatmember formed of two sections hinged together for movement to a foldedposition and having mating; cut-away portions in their inner sidesadapted to form a seat opening when the sections are extended. A pair ofarm restsare movably supported on; the sections for movement to an openposition, and for movement to a folded position Within the dimensionalconfines of the cut away portions, so that the seat, when folded, formsa package of a sizedefined by the folded seat sections.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent-from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings 7 in which;

Fig. 1 is a front perspective View of :a childs toilet seat of thisinvention shown in open position; i

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the seat in Fig. 1 ShOWIllill apartially folded position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen Fig. 5 is a detailsectional View taken on the line 55 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View showing the seat of Fig. l in a completelyfolded position With the fabric back rest removed;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail View showing the assembly in the seat of asupporting member for an arm rest;

Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective View of .anzarm rest showing its relativeassembly witha supporting member, therefor;

Fig. 9 is a detail elevational view of another supporting member for thearm rest;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a modified form of a toilet seat of.this invention shown in an open position;

Fig. 11 is a reduced rear elevational View of theseatshown in Fig.,10 ina folded position;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the seat in Fig. 10 shown in, a partiallyfolded position, with certain parts being brokenfiaway and the fabricback rest being removedfor the purpose of clarity;

Fig. 13 is a sectional View taken on the line [3-13 in Fig. l2;- f if f.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional viewrtaken on the line i4l4 in Fig.12; and i i i Fig. 15 is a detail sectional View as seen on the linei5-,-l5iiniFig. 12.

With reference to the drawings the folded toilet seat 'of this inventionis. shown in Fig. 1 as being comprised of a seat. member including apair ofsymmetrical half-sections; 2d and 25 pivot-allyconnected/together. adjacent their rear ends by ahinge 22 for movement:to an extended position, shown in Figs. 1 and .3, and to a foldedposition in aback toback relation as shown in Fig. 6. The inner adjacentsides of the seat sections 28 and 2! have mating cut-away portions 23and 25 which when the sections 29 and 2! are in their extended position,form a seat opening adapted to register with'the opening ina usualtoiletseat .When the child's seat of this invention is placed thereon. .'Theseat opening is closed at the rear end and is formed at its forward endwith aneck portion 24 which is open, to thefront endoft-the seat member.I i t.

As best shown in Fig.1 1 the hinge 22 is secured to the bottom side ofthe inner rear ends of the san er portions 23 and 25, respectively. Whenthe seatmember is composed of wood it is contemplated I that the armrests be formed from the blank resulting from the cutting out ofthe seatopening, in a manner which is believed to be obvious from aconsideration of Fig. '3. The arm rests 21 and 28 are thus adapted to bereceived within the dimensional confines of the cut-away portions 23 and25 so as to be positioned completely within the seat opening.

The arm rests are movably supported on the seat sections for movement toa folded position within the seat opening, and to an open position atopposite sides of the seat member and spaced I upwardly from the seatmember by means including a front pair of oppositely arranged rodmembers 29 of a substantially U-shape and formed with ball members 3| atthe free ends thereof (Figs. 1, 2 and 9). The forward portions 32 of thearm rests 21 and 28 have longitudinally extended openings 33 thereinadapted to receive spring or snap socket members 34 of a usualconstruction. I

Similarly the front ends of the seatsections 28 and 2|, adjacent theouter sides thereof, have longitudinalopenings 38 for receiving snapsocket members 31. The legs of a U member 29 are received within acorresponding pair of sockets 34 and 31, with the. members 29 beingreleasably held in assembly position with the arm rests and the seatsections-by the snap action of the sockets 34 and 31 on the ball members3|.

. A rear pair of supporting members 38, of a substantially. U-shape,have their leg members pivoted in the rear ends of the seat sections 28and 2|, and in the'rear ends of the arm rests 21 and 28, in a mannersimilar in all'respects to the pivoted assembly of the front rod members29 with the forward portions of the arm rests and the front ends of theseat, sections. A further description of the rear rod members-'38 isthus believed to be unnecessary.

It is thus seen that the arm rests 21 and 28 are pivotally supportedbetween an associated pair of legs of the front and rear rod members 29and 38,

and that the base or leg connecting portions of the rod members 29 and38 are pivotally movable in planes transversely of the seat sections 29and 2|, to folded positions'adjacent the ends of the seat'sections, andto open positions substantially normal to the plane of the seat member.The

base. portions of the U rod members 29 and 38 are of a length such thatwhen the rod members are folded, the arm rests are located within theconfines of the seat opening.

Withthe arm rests thus located the front portions 32 thereof are withinthe neck portion 24 of the seat opening, with their forward ends, asshown in Fig. 1, substantially flush withthe front ends of f the seatsections 20 and 2|. The front rod members 29 are thus within theplane oftheseat member. The upper legs 39 of the rear rod members 38 are locatedwithin the"depres-' sion 28 (Fig. 3),.at the rearend of the seatmemberso that the rod members 38, in a folded posipivotal movement on the rod,members 29 and 38. j The arm rests 2'! and 28 are releasably held intheir open position by brace rods 43. Since the assemblies of the bracerods 43 with the arm rests 27 and 128arejthe same only the assembly ofthe brace rod 43 with the arm rest 28 will be referred to in detail inthe following description.

The rod 43 is formed with oppositely extended lateral portions 44 and 46at the ends thereof, with the portion 46 being of a somewhat greaterlength thanthe portion 44 (Figs. 7 and 8). The lateral portion 46 ispivotally supported Within a pair of U-be'arings 48 secured to thebottom side of the armrest 28 and arranged so that the axis of theportion 48 is inclined relativeto a transverse plane of the arm rest.Retention of the portion 48 against excessive axial movement isaccomplished by the contact engagement of the straight or intermediateportion of the rod 43 with one of the bearings 48 and the contactengagement of the bent'free end 49 of the lateral portion 48 with theother of the bearings 48. It is seen, therefore, that the intermediateportion of the brace member 43 is pivotally movable within the bearings48 ina plane inclined to the longitudinal axis of the arm rest 28 to afolded position against the bottom side of the arm rest. I The lateralportion 44 of the rod member'43 is loosely receivable within atransverse opening 5|v formed in the outer side of the seat section 2|at a positionsuch that the intermediate portion of therod member 43 isin a substantially upright position (Fig. 7); Since the arm rest 28 isheld againstlongitudinal movement by its relative assembly with a pairof associated members 29 and 38, the reception of the lateral portion 44of the brace member 43 within the opening 5| positively supports the armrest 28 in a, plane paralle1 with and spaced above the upper surface ofthe'seat section 2 I; and holds the members 29 and 38 against 'pivotal'movement. The ortion: 44 is readily movable into and out of the opening5| in the seat section 2| by the loose support of the lateral portion 48within the bearings 48, the spring action in the rod 43, and thepivotal-movemerit of the arm rest 28 on a corresponding pair of members29 and 38. I I I I I A back re'st52 for the toilet seat is composed of asingle piece of a fabric material'fextended be-.'

tween'the' rear pair of rod members 38 and held in position by loopingits ends about the base portion of the members 38 and then sewing orother wise securing such ends to the body'portion of the fabricmaterial. I I I T f In the operation of the seat assume it to be in anopen position shown in Fig. 1. 'seat'the lateral portions 44 of thebrace members 43 are removed from the openings 5| and the members 43folded against the bottom sides of the ar m rests 21 and 28. The armrests are then pivotally moved within the seat opening to; their foldedposition shown in Fig. 3, so that-the rod To fold the I 2! to theirfolded position shown in Fig. 6 their corresponding arm rests and rodmembers 3|, 38 and 43 are movable therewith as a unit while retained intheir positions substantially within the dimensional confines of acorresponding seat section.

Since the rod or brace members 43, in a folded position of the seatsections 26 and 2| are positioned adjacent each other the completetoilet, seat is confined within a space adapted to accommodate thefolded seat member. The fabric back seat rest 52 may be positionedbetween the folded seat sections or to one side of a seat section. Thetoilet seat in the folded position thus forms a compact package requirinsubstantially no. more space for storage than would be required byfolding the seat member along its longitudinal axis. Suction cups 611are secured to the bottom corners of the seat member to hold the seat inposition on a usual toilet seat.

The modified form of the invention shown in Fig. is illustrated with aseat member molded from a suitable plastic material and comprised of apair of symmetrical half-sections 5.5 and 56 pivoted adjacent the rearends of their bottom sides by a hinge 51. The inner sides of the seatsections are formed with mating cut-away portions 56 and 59 which, in anextended position of the seat sections, form a seat opening closed atits rear end, and having a neck portion 6| at its forward end open tothe front side of the seat member. Oppositely arranged from the hinge5'! and formed in the top sides of the seat sections 55 and 56, betweenthe rear ends of the seat opening and the seat member, is a depression62.

As best appears in Figs. 12 and 13 the seat sections are of asubstantially hollow or shell construction having smooth top or seatsurfaces, and bottom sides provided with a marginal rim 63 andlongitudinally spaced solid boss portions and 66. Arm rests 61 and 68corresponding to the seat sections 55 and 56, respectively, are of asomewhat banana shape having a width substantially equal to thethickness of the seat section and defined by straight side portions,while the top and bottom sides of the arm rests are of an arcuatecontour, with the top side being concave and the bottom side convex, asviewed in Fig. 10. It is seen, therefore, that the length and shape ofthe arm rests 61 and 68 are such as to provide for the reception of thearm rests, when folded, within the dimensional confines of correspondingcut-away portions 58 and 59.

The arm rests are movably supported for movement to an open or uprightposition, and to a folded position within the seat opening, by rodmembers 69 of an irregular shape, extended longitudinally through thearm rests and having forward extensions H of a substantially U-shape(Figs. 10 and 12). The oppositely arranged front boss portions 64 of theseat sections are formed with longitudinal openings 12 adapted toloosely receive the legs 73 of the extensions H, with such legs havingtheir free. ends threaded and projected rearwardly from the rear sidesof the boss portions 64. The legs 13 are yieldably main- I tained withinthe boss portions 64. by springs 14 mounted thereon and held incompression between a boss portion 64 and a nut 16 threaded on the freeend of a leg 13. It is thus seen that the legs 13 are movable inaforward direction against the pressure of the springs 74, and movable ina rearward direction by the springs 14 to a positio e ned. hr the n aement; of. the base portion 11 of a U extension "(I with the front sideof corresponding seat sections 55 and 56.

The portions of the rod members 69 extended from the rear ends. ofthearm rests have, as viewed in Fig. 10, upright sections 18 adjacent therear ends of the arm rests, longitudinal sections 19, and then uprightsections 8| with bent lower ends 82, as shown in Fig. 12, adapted-to beloosely received within longitudinal openings 83. in the oppositelyarranged rear boss portions 66 in the seat sections 55 and56. The rods69 thus have their ends 13 and 82 pivoted in coaxial alignment atopposite ends of corresponding seat sections for pivotal movementtransversely of the seat sections, with the arm rests 61 and 68 beingmovable as a unit with their rod supports to an upright open positionand to a folded position within the seat opening.

In order to yieldably hold the arm rests 61 and 68 in their folded andopen positions the front sides of the seat sections 55 and 56 are formedwith transverse grooves 84 (Fig. 10) open at their inner ends to theneck 6! of the seat opening, and terminating at their outer ends inupright grooves or recesses 86. The outer walls 81 of the recesses 86are projected forwardly from the front side of the seat sections andconstitute stops for limiting the outward pivotal movement of the rodmember 69 as will appear later.

The rear sides of the seat, sections 55 and 56 are similarly formed withtransverse grooves 88 (Fig. 11) open at their inner ends to the walls 89of the depression 62 and terminating at their outer-ends in uprightrecesses or grooves 9| having their outer walls 92', as shown in Fig.10, projected rearwardly from the rear sides of the seat sections 55 and56.. From a consideration of Figs. 10 and 12 it is seen that the uprightgrooves 86 and SI are formed in the boss portions 64 and 66,respectively, and in the plane of the rod member ends 13 and .82. Thegrooves 84 and 36 at the front side of the seat sections 55 and 56 areadapted to loosely receive the base portions 11 of the front UextensionsH, while the grooves 88 and 9! in the rear sides of the seat sectionsare adapted to loosely receive the upright sections 8| of the rearextensions of the rod members 69.

In the operation of the modified form of the invention assume the;toilet seat to be in its open position shown in Fig. 10. i In thisposition the base portions T! of the front U. extensions H. have theirlowerends within-the grooves 86 so as to be supported by the side wallsof the grooves 86 against pivotal movement out of an upright position.Similarly the upright sections 8| of the rear extensions are within thegrooves 91 and retained in an upright position by the side Walls. of thegrooves. 91. However, since the pressure on the arm rests 61 and 68,when the seat is in use, is generally in an outward direction, or towardthe sides of the seat member, the stop members 81 and 92 assure the armrests being held in their open position even though the rod members 69may be moved longitudinally of their corresponding seat sections.

The rod members 69, are retained within the grooves 86 and Si by anormalspring tension withinthe rod members, and by the action of the spring 14acting on the front U extensions 1|. The arm rests- 61 and 68 are thusyieldably but positively held in their open or upright position. A backrest93 of a fabric material is connected between the upright sections18. forming part of the rearextensions. of the rod: membersGQ.

To fold the toilet seat the base portions 1] of the front extensions IIand the upright sections 8| Iofthe rear extensions, are sprung outwardlyfrom their respective upright grooves 86 and 9!, respectively, wherebythe rod members 69 are pivotall movable transversely of the seatsections about their corresponding co-axially aligned pivoted ends 13and .82. A rod member 69 and a corresponding arm rest 6! and 68 are thenmoved as a unit inwardly of the toilet seat until the base portion ll ofthe front U extension (I is located in the groove 84 and the uprightsection 8| of the rear extension is located in the groove 88, asillustrated in Fig. 12. The sections 11 and BI of a rod member 69 entertheir corresponding grooves 84 and 88 with a somewhat snap action due tothe normal tension in a rod member 69 and the action of the springs 14.The rod member 69, and in turn the arm rests 61 and 68, are thusreleasably locked in a folded position substantially within the plane oftheir corresponding seat sections 55 and 56.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the sections 18 of the rear extensions ofthe rod members 68 are received within the seat opening, the sections 19within the depression 62, and the sections 8| within the grooves 88. Thebase portions 11 of the front U extensions II are located in the grooves84, while the legs 66 of the front U extensions are positioned withinthe neck portion 6| of the seat opening. Since the arm rests 61 and 68are of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the seat sections55 and 56 each complete arm and. rod assembly, in a folded position, isarranged substantially within the dimensional confines of acorresponding seat section.

With the arm rests 61 and 68 in their folded positions, the seatsections 55 and 56 are pivoted on the hinge 51 to their folded positionin a back to back relation as shown in Fig. 11. The fabric back rest 93may be positioned between the folded seat sections 55 and 56 oroutwardly to one side thereof. Suction cups 98, carried in the baseportions, 64 and 66, act to hold the seat in position on a usual toiletseat.

From a consideration of the above description it is seen that theinvention provides a childs foldable toilet seat of portable typeinwhich the seat member is comprised of a pair of symmetrical halfsections hingedlyconnected together for movement from a folded positionin a back to back relation, to an extended position. Arm restscorresponding to the seat sections. are movably supported thereon formovement to an upright position and "to a folded position located in theseat opening and within the dimensional confines of the seat halfsections. The supporting means for the arm rests are of a constructionadapted to also be received within the dimensions of the seat sectionsso that the complete seat when folded,

occupies no more space than would normally be occupied by folding theseat member along its longitudinal axis.

Although the invention has been described with respect to severalembodiments thereof it is to be understood that it is not to be solimited since changes and modifications can be made therein which arewithin the full intended scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

I claimz' r 1. A childs foldable toilet seat including a seat comprisedof a pair of sections connected together for movement'from a foldedposition to an extendedposition, with said sections having mat ingcut-away portionsadapted to form a seat each other toa closed position,and in an open position having a seat opening therebetween, a pair ofarm rests corresponding to said half-sections and of a constructionadapted to be received in said seat opening within the dimensionalconfines of a corresponding half-section, and means movably supportingthe arm rests on said half sections for movement to one position spacedupwardly from a corresponding half-section, and for movement to a secondposition within said opening, with thearm rests in said second positionbeing movable with the half -sections to their folded position.

3. A childs foldable toilet seat comprising a pair of seat sectionshingedly connected for movement from an extended position to a closedposition, said sections having mating cut-away portions to form a. seatopening therebetween in an extended position, a pair of foldable armrests corresponding to said seat sections and extended longitudinallythereof, arm rest supporting means on each seat section pivoted atopposite ends of a seat section for pivotal movement laterally of saidseat section to a first position extended upwardly from the top side ofthe seat section, and to a secondv position substantially within theplane of the seat section, said arm rests being movable with saidsupporting means and adapted to be received within a correspondingcut-away portion when said supporting means are in said second position,g g

4. A childs foldable toilet seat comprising a pair of seat sectionshin-gedly connected for movement from an extended positionto a foldedposition, said seat sections having mating cutaway portions thereinadapted to form a seat.

opening between 'saidseat sections in an extended position, a pair offoldable armrests corresponding to said seat sections, with, an. armrest being constructed relative to a corresponding cut-away portion soas to be receivable within the dimensional confines thereof, andsupporting means for an arm rest movably supported on a correspondingseat section for movement to a first position to support said arm restsabove the top side of said seat sections, and for movement to a secondposition to fold the arm rests within said cut-away portions. 7 V

5. A childs foldable toilet seat comprising a pair of seat sectionshingedly connected for movement from a folded position to an extendedposition, said sections having mating cut-away portions in their innersides adapted to form a seat opening between said sections in.saidexsite ends thereof, with an arm rest being movably supportedbetween the projections at one end of said rod members, and theprojections at the opposite end of said rod members, being pivoted atopposite ends of a corresponding seat section adjacent the outer sidethereof, means for releasably locking said arm rests in their openposition, and a fabric back rest connected between the supporting meansfor said arm rests.

6. A childs foldable toilet seat including a foldable seat membercomprised of a pair of seat sections hingedly connected formovement froma folded position to an extended position, said seat sections havingcut-away portions in their inner sides adapted to form a seat opening insaid seat member when the seat sections are in said extended position, apair of foldable arm rests pivotally supported adjacent the outer sidesof said seat sections for movement to an open position, and to a foldedposition within the dimensional confines of said cut-away portions, andmeans for releasably holding said arm rests in their open position.

7. A childs foldable toilet seat including a foldable seat membercomprised of a pair of sections hingedly connected for movement from afolded position to an extended position, said seat sections havingcut-away portions in their inner sides adapted to form an opening insaid seat member when the seat sections are in said extended position, apair of arm rest-s adapted to be received Within said cut-away portions,means pivotally supporting said arm rests for pivotal movement to anopen position substantially above the outer sides of said seat sections,and to a folded position within said cut-aWayportion-s, with an arm restin a folded position being movable with its corresponding seat section,and a flexible back rest connected between said supporting mean adjacentthe rear ends of said arm rests.

8. A childs foldable toilet seat comprising a pair of seat sectionshingedly connected for movement from a folded position to an extendedposition, said sections having cut-away portions in their inner sidesadapted to form a seat opening in said extended position, a pair offoldable arm rests, with said arm rests having a shape such that in afolded position they are receivable in said cut-away portions and withinthe dimensional confines of said seat sections, means movably supportingsaid arm rests for movement from said folded position to an openposition including a forward pair of oppositely arranged supportingmembers pivoted between the forward ends of said arm rests and the frontends of said seat sections adjacent the outer side of said seatsections, a rear pair of oppositely arranged supporting member pivotedbetween the rear ends of said arm rests and the rear ends of said seatsections adjacent the outer sides of said seat sections, foldable meansfor holding said arm rests in their open position, and a fabric backrest connected between said rear pair of supporting members.

9. A childs foldable toilet seat comprising a pair of seat sectionshingedly connected for movement from a folded position to an extendedposition and having cut-away portions on their inner sides adapted toform a seat opening in the extended position of said sections, a pair ofarm rests adapted to be received within said cut-away portions, meanspivotally supporting aid arm rests for movement to a folded positionwithin said cut-away portions and to an open position including a frontpair of oppositely arranged rod members connected at one end with saidarm rests and movably supported at their other end in the forward sidesof said seat sections for pivotal movement laterally of said seatsections and for movement longitudinally of said seat sections, a rearpair of oppositely arranged rod members connected at one end with saidarm rests and pivoted at their other end in the rear sides of said seatsections for pivotal movement laterally of said seat sections, and formovement longitudinally of said seat sections, said sections havingupright grooves at the pivoted ends of said front and rear membersadapted to receive said rod members therein to hold said arm rests intheir open position, with said rod members being movable longitudinallyof the seat sections into and out of said grooves, and a fabric backrest connected between said rear rod members.

LEONARD NEUFELD.

